Filamentous fungi biofilm: production of the hydrolases (tanases and ²-fructofuranosidases) with biotechnological interest and the analysis of their genes expression using RT-qPCR

• Grant number: 22/04372-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2022
• End date: November 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Luis Henrique Souza Guimaraes
• Grantee: Luis Henrique Souza Guimaraes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant(s): 23/10540-4 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2022/04372-9: CFX opus 96 real-time PCR instrument, AP.EMU

Abstract

The filamentous fungi have been used as important eukariotic models for understanding of different biological phenomena, including development mechanisms, gene expression, microbial-host interactions and production of metabolites with biotechnological interest as enzymes. The enzyme global market is estimate as US$ 17.2 billions for 2027. Among the enzymes with potential application, the ²-D-fructofuranosidases can be highlighted for the food and beverage industries, while the tannases present relevance for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, and for the treatment of rich tannin effluents, minimizing the environmental impact. The investigation of the enzyme production by fungi has been performed using both submerged and solid state fermentations. However, the biofilm fermentation emerges as a new technology for this purpose allowing the increase of the enzyme production, easy separation of the biomass and, consequently, recuperation of the molecules of interest, reducing the cost of the process. The filamentous fungi are able to form biofilms naturally as result of their development on organic and inorganic surfaces. In spite of the biofilm fermentation advantages, the study of the hydrolases production by filamentous fungus biofilms still reduced and deserves attention. In addition, quantitative analysis using RT-qPCR of the gene expression for the hydrolases (²-D-fructofuranosidases and tannases) in fungal biofilms under different culture conditions, as aimed in this project, will contribute for a better understanding of the biology and potential application of these robust structures. As presented, this project presents both basic and applied characteristic, and it will contribute with the knowledge advance in the Microbiology and Biotechnology areas. (AU)